IT Geek Posted May 15, 2013 Posted May 15, 2013 Ok, here's something my "friend" and I were discussing last night. We've agreed to become exclusive and see where this will take us. I jokingly said "So, are you my girlfriend or what now?" She laughed and said she was thinking the same thing. GF/BF seems a bit juvenile and "lady friend" seems like it's better used for someone in their 60s for some reason. So, the question I pose is this. When you introduce your SO to friends/family/colleagues, how do you address them? My {friend|girlfriend|lover|SO|main squeeze|better half|other half|f-buddy|etc}?
Leegh Posted May 15, 2013 Posted May 15, 2013 I don't know, but you could just say, "this is Barbara (or whatever her name is), and I don't think really you have to say anything more. If someone asks you, you can say you and she have been going out for six months (or whatever amount of time it has been). It is a little tricker when people are in their 40's, etc., but on the other hand, there are many people in their 40's that are single now, (either never-married or divorced). 1
Steph321 Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 My bf is 42 and he calls me his girlfriend.. But I'm quite a bit younger than him so it doesn't seem weird to me. When we first became exclusive he made a joke like "sooooo does this mean I have to call you my girlfriend?" Lol... 1
Roadkill007 Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 you can say something embarrassingly obvious like "here's katie, she's my sugarplum" 3
Ursa Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 Snookums, sugar booger, huggy bear, sweetie pie, love monkey...girlfriend/boyfriend starts to sound better and better, doesn't it?
TaraMaiden Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 When we were dating, my H used to call me his 'Lady'. I called him my Man.... My MiL began "dating" a guy in her 70's after she was widowed... They moved in together, and she called him her Escort - Purely and simply because his surname was actually 'Ford'. The British will get that one. Others, may not..... 3
carhill Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 So, the question I pose is this. When you introduce your SO to friends/family/colleagues, how do you address them? I was a bit younger (late 30's) when doing that, since I got married in my early 40's; at that time, by the time I was 'introducing' a dating partner to folks, we were 'boyfriend and girlfriend', so I introduced her as 'my girlfriend, xxx' or simply by her first name. Did the same with my exW prior to becoming engaged. Would do the same now. I don't agonize over words and labels like 'girlfriend' being inappropriate for a guy in his 50's. YMMV.
2sure Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 I introduce any date, serious or not as my friend. This is my friend Mike. I feel too mature to have to explain my relationship as part of an introduction. I have yet to have anyone hit on me or my date because they didn't understand we were together. Hit on yes, but not because they didn't get it!
carhill Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 As the OP queried 'family/friends/colleagues', I'd probably specify 'girlfriend' to those, since they know me and we have familiarity and varying degrees of care for each other; the rest of the world would get her first name as an introduction. That's pretty much how it went in the past. The only change was I introduced my exW as 'xxxx, my wife' to everyone.
cerridwen Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 My current is 39 and he calls me his girlfriend. I like it. I call him "Fat Wallet". 2
Silly_Girl Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 I refer to my partner as my boyfriend, or rather, now fiancé. However, in a social setting I would merely say 'this is Bert' (for example). That's ample information. Those who are so inclined (and haven't already worked it out) can ask 'are you guys together?'. And if not, that's fine too.
candie13 Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 He's 38. Calls me his gf / Fr. copine. I never feel the need to introduce him as "my bf, David". He's simply "David". If you're bothered by bf / gf, you can always introduce her as your "friend, Jane". In private, I occasionally call him "baby" or "darling". That's about it. We're not big on sweet words...
TaraMaiden Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 I hate the term partner. I was sat in an interview with my Pensions advise, and he explained that although he could retire in 5 years, his partner would have to keep working, because he hadn't set himself a suitable fund as a younger man.... I asked him (as I saw the gold band on his finger) "is this your civil partner? Are you married then? Does that not make a difference to your situation?" he glanced at his ring, then laughed.... "No, I mean my business partner.... I'm married to a woman....." Fortunately he was able to see the humour, and wasn't offended at all.... But he agreed that this generic word, 'partner' was very confusing.... 1
Ursa Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 I don't mind the term partner at all, personally, although I understand it sometimes needs a little clarification. I just don't see it applying to OP, who just became exclusive. I see partners as people who choose to put their shoulders to the wheel together in some sense, whether at business or in life; romantic partners are generally living together, paying bills together, possibly raising kids together.
2sure Posted May 17, 2013 Posted May 17, 2013 This is my friend with benefits, Big Daddy. Obviously we won't be staying long. 1
FitChick Posted May 17, 2013 Posted May 17, 2013 I hate the term partner. Too cold and business like, because it used to be only for business partners. It's also for gay people. I prefer boyfriend and girlfriend.
blueskyday Posted May 17, 2013 Posted May 17, 2013 We introduce each other to others as our "lover." That always gets a smile. When I'm sleeping with somebody, I don't appreciate them introducing me to somebody else as their friend. I'd rather they don't even use a label , or yes, call me their girlfriend! I once broke up with the guy who kept introducing me as his friend to people at a party even when he knew that I didn't like it. That night, when he tried to have sex with me, I said, " But, I'm only your friend!"
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